What am I supposed to write??? Notes for Research What am I supposed to write???

First things first You need to use index cards The fastest, easiest, most economical way to keep everything organized If all you need for your project is 1-2 outside sources, then just using some sticky notes on the pages you need might be sufficient (or printing short items from the internet and highlighting) But anything bigger requires some different methods

Guidelines for efficiency Create a source card for each source This means create a card that contains all the info needed for the Work Cited page in the proper MLA format Give it a number: 1, 2, 3, etc… As you take notes from those sources, put the corresponding number on the note cards. If you are reading source #2, put #2 on each note card when you record a fact from source #2. If your cards get misplaced, dropped, or otherwise mixed up, you will know which note came from which source—otherwise, plagiarism could ensue.

MORE TIPS Quote word-for-word on your card Use quotation marks YOU CAN PARAPHRASE THIS info IN YOUR SOURCE, BUT ALWAYS QUOTE ON THE CARD Make sure you include page number If from a book, magazine, pdf Internet sources typically don’t have page numbers Paragraph numbers if they are given in source with no page numbers Only put one fact on a card! This will be really important later

Why do I need to go to all this trouble? It will help you immensely when you actually begin to organize and write your paper Trust me. I’ve done this hundreds of times. And the one time I decided that I really didn’t need to do it, was the time I realized how important it was; I ended up stopping my research, going through all my sources, and making notecards for all those sticky notes and highlighted lines.

Okay, now what? Once you have You’re ready to begin Notecards Pencil/pen Source cards Rubber band/or zip lock baggie to keep it all in….. You’re ready to begin

What am I looking for? Keep your research question in mind You need to record information that will help you answer that question Look specifically for the following:

Interesting facts Have you encountered facts that made you say “wow, I didn’t know that!”— Write it down (note the source number) Facts that will help your reader understand the topic better Facts that help clarify the point

Expert testimony Statements by the experts in the field Lumberjacks Doctors Zoo keepers Researchers Soldiers Teachers Bankers Engineers Chefs Ranchers Geologists Artists Carpenters Conservation officers

Testimony by those involved/affected Eyewitnesses Victims Workers Those with experience Don’t read just about the science behind chemotherapy Talk to people who have been through it Don’t talk with only geologists about earthquakes Talk with people who have lived through them

numbers Statistics based on research Tables that show data Money spent Costs involved

opposition Never settle for facts that support only your perspective To establish your ethos, you credibility as a researcher, ALWAYS be fair in your reporting What does the other side say? What are the downsides to your issue? Depending on the topic, there may not be a ‘downside’ If there IS a downside, be careful about whose information you present. You need to clear them as sources just like you do the sources you are using for support.

You then refute or concede opposing points Refuting Explain why their point is invalid; provide a rebuttal, a counterclaim Conceding Acknowledge that they have a valid point and that it’s an issue that needs to be addressed, solved, etc.

images Depending on the topic, graphics may be used to illustrate points Tables Pie charts Graphs Diagrams On rare occasions…photos or drawings that depict something that is difficult to describe in words Use sparingly IT IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE TO INCLUDE PHOTOS SIMPLY FOR DECORATION. THEY MUST ALWAYS BE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. They may not be included in the page count— They must be cited just like other info from outside sources

homework Before moving ahead, be sure your research question and answer have been okayed. If you had to make adjustments, you need to run those by me again before proceeding. THURSDAY You must turn in source cards You must turn in web site evaluation paper FRIDAY You must have ALL of your research/reading completed by Friday This means you must finish taking notes—even on the sources you don’t have printed Don’t assume you can do all of this Wednesday night You should have all of your notecards with you in class on FRIDAY along with the printed sources